The significance of the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 was profound, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of Ottoman dominance in Eastern Europe. This event symbolized the dramatic shift in power dynamics, as the Ottomans, under Sultan Mehmed II, captured the city after a prolonged siege. The fall led to the spread of Islam and Ottoman culture throughout the region and profoundly affected trade routes between Europe and Asia. It also prompted increased interest in classical learning and the Renaissance in Europe, as scholars fled westward, bringing knowledge and manuscripts with them.